Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.
- Maya Angelou

Friday, June 22, 2018

Feel Good Friday - PFLAG

June is Pride month and Sunday is the Pride Parade in San Francisco, so I'm going to spend this Feel Good Friday talking about one of my favorite groups that marches every year, PFLAG.

Formerly known as Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, PFLAG was "founded in 1973 after the simple act of a mother publicly supporting her gay son" in the Christopher Street Liberation Day Parade in New York. Today, "PFLAG is the nation's largest family and ally organization."

As explained on their website, "PFLAG envisions a world where diversity is celebrated and all people are respected, valued, and affirmed inclusive of their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression."

A great example of respect and affirmation can be seen in this video called, Parents Coming Out. It shows how important and meaningful it is for LGBTQ people to have parental support and how the coming out process affects the parents as well.

With 400 chapters in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and over 200,000 members, you can find local and online support here as well connect with events happening in your community.

To help keep the PFLAG flying, make a donation, buy a shirt, and stay active on social media by liking their Facebook page, following them on Twitter @PFLAG and using the hashtag #ConnectedByPride.